The Region 10, Regional Democratic Council (RDC) is recruiting regional farmers to supply fresh produce for hot meals to be prepared for students residing in far-flung communities.
The Department of Public Information (DPI) press release stated that the project is a replica of the David G’s Five B’s project that is currently being carried out in Kwakwani and other communities across the country.
The hot meals will be prepared with fresh ingredients produced right in the communities and aims to replace the traditional juice and biscuit which is supplied to schools across the country. This is not only a gravitation towards healthier consumption but creates employment for farmers as well as those responsible for preparing the meals, the DPI release added.
Regional Executive Officer, Orrin Gordon, related that the project has already been piloted in the communities of Rockstone and Coomacka as well as with students journeying to Linden from the farming community of Dallawalla, located up the Demerara River.
Gordon noted that complaints have surfaced about the quality of the juice that is supplied to schools and so the project is aimed at ensuring that the children get the best, nutritionally.
“We are moving away from that and moving in the direction where we produce hot meals directly from the produce that is right there,” he was quoted as saying.
The REO noted that the plan is to have it replicated in the rest of the region, especially in the communities located in Sub-Region Two, such as those located along the Berbice River.
“We want to replicate this in the rest of the sub-region because we are getting a lot of complaints about the juice and biscuit,” he added.
Gordon noted that the RDC is currently conducting feasibility studies to ensure that all systems are in place for the effective delivery of the hot meal project while the Region’s Department of Education is awaiting permission from the Ministry of Education for the project to be expanded. He also plans to put systems in place for the supply of less canned and processed foods at the dormitories in the region and replace them with fresh foods.
Newly appointed Regional Education Officer (REdO), Rabindra Singh expressed his belief that the project is the best way forward and will be giving it his support. He noted that the creation of employment is what is most admirable about the project.
“You have to have a head cook, treasurer and these people will be paid… We will be utilising the raw produce from the various communities, it is something that I am trying to see how we can replace the juice and biscuit,” the REdO was quoted as saying.
Regional Chairman, Renis Morian said he is looking forward to a progress report at the next RDC statutory meeting.
